Local

They say that the first step towards true change is through effective awareness – and what better way to increase environmental awareness than to build the environmental capacity of local youth so that they may grow and be the change their communities need.

Samoa is being represented at the 10th Asia Pacific Red Cross Presidents Regional a conference in Manila, Philippines. Leading the delegation is President of the Red Cross, Leiataua Jerry Brunt. He is accompanied by the Secretary General Namulauulu Tautala Maualaivao and a Youth Delegate and Board Member, Deborah Koon Wai You.

Supreme Court Justice and representative of the Pacific region on the Committee on the Rights of the Child (C.R.C), Justice Vui Clarence Nelson, has congratulated Leilua Lino. Leilua is one of the three finalists for the International Children’s Peace Prize 2018.

The growth of the Federal Pacific Group (F.P.G.), with offices in Timor Leste, Tahiti, Tonga and Samoa as the headquarters, has been praised by the Governor of the Central Bank of Samoa, Maiava Atalina Enari.

A group of Leadership Samoa graduates has explored the potential of agritourism for Samoa, especially where underutilised customary lands are concerned. Leadership Samoa Chief Executive, Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun, said tourism is the backbone of Samoa’s economy.

Rupi Taituuga is among the local designers getting behind Miss Samoa, Sonia Piva, as she begins her mission to bring the Miss Pacific crown to Samoa. Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Rupi said he is delighted to have been able to help Ms. Piva, who is leaving for Tonga this week.

An aspiring nine-year-old rugby player, Fa’au’uga Folita Iosefo, has been given hope for cancer treatment in New Zealand. This is largely thanks to the Samoa Observer’s Save the Child’s Fund and the generous support from businesses, families and members of the community who responded to the urgent request for help.

Miss Samoa, Sonia Piva, is ready for the 2018 Miss Pacific Pageant in Tonga. Last Saturday, the outfits she will be wearing during her stay in Tonga were displayed during a fundraising event held ahead of her departure this week. Held at the Ministry of Health’s conference room, the event featured 10 outfits donated by various designers like Rupi Taituuga, Pele’s Creation, Iya and Kuki. Betham Brothers donated a dress made by Wendy’s.

The dispute between the Police and the Land Transport Authority (L.T.A.), over the enforcement of traffic infringements and the collection of fines, is unlikely to be resolved any time soon. While the Police Commissioner, Fuiavailiili Egon Keil, has asked Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malelegaoi to amend the law, the Chief Executive Officer of L.T.A., Galumalemana Ta’atialeoitiiti Tutuvanu-Schwalger, is standing her ground.

It is the Judicial Service Commission’s decision for the Land and Titles Court President, Fepulea'i Attila Ropati, to continue to get paid while awaiting trial in the District Court. This is according to the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration (M.J.C.A) C.E.O. Papali’i John Taimalelagi in response to questions from the Samoa Observer.

It has only been five months since 52-year-old Soolefai Faalogo from Falefa moved into the area and built a house. It is not much of a structure and is in fact an incomplete traditional Samoan-styled house, which he shares with his son and daughter-in-law.

Salome Suliveta Leone has come a long way—to evolve from a street vendor to a business woman. She was invited to speak recently at the annual review process of the Community Development Sector Plan 2016 – 2021, which was facilitated by the Ministry of Women Community and Social Development recently at the TATTE Building.

An agri-tourism park would be inauthentic and “half-baked,” a cacao farmer and tour guide believes. Next year, Samoa’s ministries of Tourism and Agriculture and Fisheries intended to open a ten acre park in Nu’u to showcase the agricultural produce of Samoa to tourists.

I want to share a reflection on suicide by quoting from a speech I made in 2002 because it is relevant and topical. Rituals also express meaning, nuance and metaphor. During (former) Prime Minister’s Helen Clark’s wreathe presentation at Tamasese’s grave, 4 June 2002, Lufi Falefa and Salani could have chanted the funeral chants, the birth chants, the war chants, the victory chants.

P.M. on Church leaders
It seems Prime Minister Tuilaepa can’t leave members of clergy alone.
During a radio programme last week, he had plenty to say about Church Ministers. For instance, he reminded them that Church Ministers were only taught on spiritual matters, not on Economics.